Because commodities are raw materials — e.g. grain, oil, precious metals — the price of commodities fluctuates constantly owing to changes in supply and demand, which are in turn influenced by climate and weather patterns, workforce issues, global economic trends, and more.
While this can make it risky to invest in commodities, the volatility of this market also creates opportunities for traders, who try to take advantage of price swings.
In addition, although commodities can be traded on the spot market, they’re often bought and sold via derivatives like futures and options contracts, which can add to the higher risk level of this market.
Commodities are basic materials like agricultural products (meat, grains); energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas); and precious metals (copper, gold, nickel), which can be traded between producers and buyers.
In other words, commodities are the raw materials from which countless products are made: e.g. corn is a key ingredient in consumer staples; nickel is required for many technology products.
Commodities are differentiated from other types of securities by the fact that they’re basically interchangeable. One stock is clearly quite different from another, and is valued differently based on the company, the product, the market, and so on. But one barrel of oil is essentially the same as any other barrel of oil.
In addition, there are certain minimum standards, or basis grades, that ensure a common level of quality for most commodities. Basis grades may change from year to year, but once in place, all traded commodities must meet them.
• Meat (e.g. pork, beef)
• Grains and other agricultural products, including: corn, wheat, rice, coffee, cocoa, cotton and sugar
Technological advances have arguably added other commodities, such as internet bandwidth and cell phone minutes. Foreign currencies, indexes, and other financial products are also sometimes considered commodities.
Who Invests in Commodities?
There are two types of commodities investors, generally speaking.
• Producers who sell the raw goods on the spot market of a commodity, and buyers who need it to produce or manufacture certain goods. These trades typically involve futures contracts for specific quantities of the commodity involved for an agreed-upon price (e.g. an airline buying 500,000 barrels of oil for $90 a barrel).
• Traders who buy and sell commodities contracts, or options on underlying commodities, but don’t take delivery of the actual raw material. They are simply trying to profit from the volatility in different commodities markets, adding to commodity risk.
💡 Quick Tip: When people talk about investment risk, they mean the risk of losing money. Some investments are higher risk, some are lower. Be sure to bear this in mind when investing online.
Commodity Risk
These are some of the reasons investors wonder whether investing in commodities is high risk.
Unlike other stock market assets, commodities are generally traded on futures markets. Futures are pre-arranged agreements between traders who promise to buy or sell a given commodity for a specific price at a specific time in the future — hence the name.
Futures offer both the buyer and seller the opportunity to earn money, if the conditions are right. If the overall value of a commodity rises, the buyer makes money because they get it at the agreed-upon price, which may be lower than market value.
If the value of the commodity falls, the seller makes money because they’re still selling the commodity at the agreed-upon price, which is likely higher than market value.
However, because commodity prices are so volatile, changing on a weekly, and sometimes even daily basis, futures trading is highly risky to both parties involved.
Example of Commodities Risk
In many cases one trading party is going to lose money on the deal — though the set price of futures does allow traders some level of guarantee as to how much the seller or producer stands to lose.
For instance, let’s say a farmer negotiates a futures contract to sell her harvest of wheat. The buyer agrees to buy a specified amount of wheat at a specific price point.
If the value of wheat rises by the time the farmer harvests the crop, the buyer will get a good deal since he’s paying the price they’d already agreed upon (which was set based on the value of the wheat at the time of the negotiation). The buyer can then turn around and sell the wheat at a higher price, earning a profit.
On the other hand, if the value of wheat has fallen by the time the farmer sets out to harvest her yield, she is spared financial devastation by the guaranteed price bottom. Rather than losing out on her profits entirely, she’ll earn whatever the agreed-upon price was.
Meanwhile, the buyer is on the losing end of the contract, and now has a quantity of wheat that is worth less than what they must pay for it, per the agreement.
Why Invest in Commodities?
Given the risk involved with investing in commodities, what motivates investors to trade them?
For one thing, investing in commodities gives investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolio with a whole new class of assets — one that generally performs in opposition to the stock market itself. (That is, when the stock market is bearish, commodities tend to increase in value.)
Furthermore, diversification can be a useful risk-management tactic, and investing in commodities may be a way to round out a portfolio based on more traditional investments like stocks and bonds.
Commodities do also have some characteristics that give them a unique advantage in the world of investments. Because they’re often traded via futures contracts, there’s a guaranteed sale price and date. For those willing to take on the risk of being on the losing end of the contract, the potential to gain a specified amount can be appealing.
Benefits of Investing in Commodities
Commodities can add diversification to a portfolio which can help with risk management. Since commodities have low correlation to the price movements of traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds they may be more insulated from the stock volatility that can affect those markets.
Supply and demand, not market conditions, drive commodities prices which can help make them resilient throughout a changing business cycle.
Trading commodities can also help investors hedge against rising inflation. Commodity prices and inflation move together. So if consumer prices are rising commodity prices follow suit. If you invest in commodities, that can help your returns keep pace with inflation so there’s less erosion of your purchasing power.
However, none of these benefits negates the risks involved with investing in or trading commodities. 💡 Quick Tip: Newbie investors may be tempted to buy into the market based on recent news headlines or other types of hype. That’s rarely a good idea. Making good choices shouldn’t stem from strong emotions, but a solid investment strategy.
Disadvantages of Investing in Commodities
The biggest downside associated with commodities trading is that changes in supply and demand can dramatically affect commodity pricing, which can directly impact your returns. Commodities that seem to go up and up in price can also come crashing down in a relatively short time.
There is also a risk inherent to commodities trading, which is the possibility of ending up with a delivery of the physical commodity itself if you don’t close out the position. You could then be on the hook to sell the commodity.
In addition, commodities don’t offer any benefits in terms of dividend or interest payments. While you could generate dividend income with stocks or interest income from bonds, your ability to make money with commodities is based solely on buying them low and selling high.
How to Invest in Commodities
If you’re interested in how to trade commodities, there are different strategies to consider.
Trading Commodities Stocks
If you’re already familiar with stock trading, purchasing shares of companies that have a commodities connection could be a relatively easy first step. Trading commodities stocks is the same as trading shares of any other stock. The difference is that you’re specifically targeting companies that are related to the commodities markets in some way. This requires understanding both the potential of the company, as well as the potential impact of fluctuations in the underlying commodity.
For example, if you’re interested in gaining exposure to agricultural commodities, you might buy shares in companies that belong to the biotech, pesticide, or consumer staples industries.
Or, you might consider purchasing energy stocks or mining stocks if you’re more interested in those commodities markets.
As you would with any other stock, you need to consider your portfolio’s current asset allocation, and whether adding certain commodity stocks to the equity portion is in line with your goals.
Recommended: What Is Asset Allocation?
Futures Trading in Commodities
As noted above, a futures contract represents an agreement to buy or sell a certain commodity at a specific price at a future date.
So, for example, an orange grower might sell a futures contract agreeing to sell a certain amount of their crop for a set price. A company that sells orange juice could then buy that contract to purchase those oranges for production at that price.
This type of futures trading involves the exchange of physical commodities or raw materials. For the everyday investor, futures trading in commodities typically doesn’t mean you plan to take delivery of two tons of coffee beans or 4,000 bushels of corn. Instead, you buy a futures contract with the intention of selling it before it expires.
Futures trading in commodities is speculative, as investors are making educated guesses about which way a commodity’s price will move at some point in the future.
Trading Commodities ETFs
Commodity ETFs (or exchange-traded funds) can simplify commodities trading. When you purchase a commodity ETF you’re buying a basket of securities, as you would when buying any type of ETF. These can target a picture type of commodities, such as metals or energy, or offer exposure to a broad cross-section of the commodities market.
A commodity ETF can offer basic diversification, though it’s important to understand what you own. For example, a commodities ETF that includes options or commodities futures contracts may carry a higher degree of risk compared to an ETF that includes commodities companies, such as oil and gas companies, or food producers.
Recommended: How to Trade ETFs
Investing in Mutual and Index Funds in Commodities
Mutual funds and index funds offer another entry point to commodities investing. So investing in a commodities mutual fund that’s focused on water or corn, for example, could give you exposure to different companies that build technologies or equipment related to water sustainability or corn production.
Even though these funds allow you to invest in a portfolio of different securities, remember that commodities mutual funds and index funds are still speculative, so it’s important to understand the risk profile of the fund’s underlying holdings.
Commodity Pools
A commodity pool is a private pool of money contributed by multiple investors for the purpose of speculating in futures trading, swaps, or options trading. A commodity pool operator (CPO) is the gatekeeper: The CPO is responsible for soliciting investors to join the pool and managing the money that’s invested.
Trading through a commodity pool could give you more purchasing power since multiple investors contribute funds. Investors share in both the profits and the losses, so your ability to make money this way can hinge on the skills and expertise of the CPO. For that reason, it’s important to do the appropriate due diligence.
Most CPOs should be registered with the National Futures Association (NFA). You can check a CPO’s registration status and background using the NFA website.
Stock Market Risks
While commodity risk is a factor when considering investing in commodity futures, it’s important to understand that all investments carry risk. For instance, stocks can gain and lose value as the companies that issue them perform well or poorly. It is always a possibility to lose all of the money put into a stock market investment in the case of a serious market decline or recession.
Of course, some market volatility is totally normal — and even healthy. And while nobody can predict the market perfectly, some tendencies can be seen over time.
For instance, while there’s no direct correlation between interest rates and stock market performance, in the past when interest rates go up, stock market performance tends to decline. That’s because companies, like individuals, can be priced out of taking loans they need for the continued growth and performance of their businesses, which may mean they have less money left over to reinvest or count as profit.
And during major global crises, like the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, markets can sometimes experience major turbulence and downturns.
The reality of risk is no reason to forego investing entirely, as investing is still one of the most powerful ways to grow wealth.
Managing Commodity Risk Through Diversification
Diversification means maintaining a variety of different asset types and classes — e.g. stocks, bonds, commodities, and other securities — and also ensuring that the investments within a given class come from different companies and industries.
That way if (and when) market volatility comes calling, investors will have their eggs in a variety of baskets, which may help mitigate the risk of steep losses if a single sector becomes too volatile.
Keeping a diverse portfolio can mean investing in stocks from a wide range of different companies with different attributes.
For instance, investors might choose small-cap, mid-cap, or large-cap stocks, which define companies based on the overall value of their market capitalization (the total cash value of outstanding stock the company has on the market). Investors may also choose to invest in companies from different industries, such as technology, renewable energy, communication or healthcare.
Along with including a multiplicity of company and stock types, investors can also pad out their portfolios with additional asset types, like government bonds or — you guessed it — commodities.
Because these assets sometimes perform in opposition to the market, they can be a good way to balance stock investments.
One easy way to get a lot of diversification with a relatively small amount of effort is to invest in ETFs and mutual funds.
Diversifying With ETFs and Mutual Funds
ETFs and mutual funds are slightly different, but operate in largely the same way: they’re baskets of assets, like stocks and bonds, that allow the investor to purchase a small piece of a wide swath of the market with a single buy.
ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, can be bought and sold just like shares of stock, and may track a well-known existing index like the S&P 500. ETFs can contain a range of different asset types, including commodities as well as stocks and bonds, and generally offer low expense ratios, since they may not be actively managed and don’t require as many trade or brokerage fees.
Mutual funds are similar to ETFs in their diversity of assets, but unlike ETFs, mutual funds are only bought and sold once per day, at the end of trading. Mutual funds are also often actively managed by a third party, which may offer some comfort to investors, but does tend to carry a higher expense ratio than would be found on a similar ETF.
The Takeaway
Commodities trading is a high-risk strategy that may work better for investors who have a greater comfort with risk, versus those who are more conservative. Thinking through your risk tolerance, risk capacity, and timeline for investing can help you decide whether it makes sense to invest in commodities.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to invest in commodities, including futures and options (which are a bit more complex), as well as stocks, ETFs, mutual and index funds — securities that may be more familiar.
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Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.
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You probably have things you want to do with your money down the road: buy a house, save for retirement, fund college for your kids, maybe even go on a big trip or do a major remodel. And you may be wondering if investing can help you achieve those goals.
It’s never too early or too late to start investing. There are a number of different ways you can put your money to work, including choosing different investment types.
Different Types of Investments for Diversification
Before deciding on your investments, ask yourself what your financial goals are. Then try to build a portfolio that achieves those goals, balancing risk with return and maintaining a diverse mix of assets.
Having different types of investments, as well as short term vs long term investments can help you achieve portfolio diversification.
Bond Investments
Bonds are essentially loans you make to a company or a government — federal or local — for a fixed period of time. In return for loaning them money, they promise to pay it back to you in the future and pay you interest in the meantime.
When it comes to bonds vs. stocks, the former are typically backed by the full faith and credit of the government or large companies. Because of this, they’re often considered lower risk than stocks.
However, the risk varies, and bonds are rated for their quality and credit-worthiness. Because the U.S. government is less likely to go bankrupt than an individual company, Treasury bonds are considered to be some of the least risky investments. However, they also tend to have lower returns.
Different Types of Bonds
Treasurys: These are bonds issued by the U.S. government. Treasurys can have maturities that range from one-month to 30-years, but the 10-year note is considered a benchmark for the bond market as a whole.
Municipal bonds: Local governments or agencies can also issue their own bonds. For example, a school district or water agency might take out a bond to pay for improvements or construction and then pay it off, with interest, at whatever terms they’ve established.
Corporate bonds: Corporations also issue bonds. These are typically given a credit rating, with AAA being the highest. High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, tend to have higher yields but lower credit ratings.
Mortgage and asset-backed bonds: Sometimes financial institutions bundle mortgages or other assets, like student loans and car loans, and then issue bonds backed by those loans and pass on the interest.
Zero-coupon bonds: Zero coupon bonds may be issued by the U.S. Treasury, corporations, and state and local government agencies. These bonds don’t pay interest. Instead, investors buy them at a great discount from their face value, and when a bond matures, the investor receives the face value of the bond.
Pros and Cons of Bonds
If you’re thinking about investing in bonds, these are some of the benefits and drawbacks to consider:
Pros:
• Bonds offer regular interest payments.
• Bonds tend to be lower risk than stocks.
• Treasurys are considered to be safe investments.
• High-yield bonds tend to pay higher returns and they have more consistent rates.
Cons:
• The rate of returns with bonds tends to be much lower than it is with stocks.
• Bond trading is not as fluid as stock trading. That means bonds may be more difficult to sell.
• Bonds can decrease in value during periods of high interest rates.
• High-yield bonds are riskier and have a higher risk of default, and investors could potentially lose all the money they’ve invested in them.
💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.
Stock Investments
When you think of investing and investment types, you probably think of the stock market. They are, essentially, investment fund basics. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.
Only public companies trade on the stock market; private companies are privately owned. They can sometimes still be invested in, though the process isn’t always as easy and open to as many investors.
A stock makes money in two ways: It could pay dividends if the company decides to pay out part of its profits to its shareholders, or an investor could sell the stock for more than they bought it.
Some investors are looking for steady streams of income and therefore pick stocks because of their dividend payments. Others may look at value or growth stocks, companies that are trading below their true worth or those that are experiencing revenue or earnings gains at a faster pace.
Pros and Cons of Stock Investments
Stocks have advantages and disadvantages to be aware of before investing in them. These include:
Pros:
• If the stock goes up, you can sell it for a profit.
• Some stocks pay dividends to investors.
• Stocks tend to offer higher potential returns than bonds.
• Stocks are considered liquid assets, so you can typically sell them quickly if necessary.
Cons:
• There are no guaranteed returns. For instance, the market could suddenly go down.
• The stock market can be volatile. Returns can vary widely from year to year.
• You typically need to hang onto stocks for many years to achieve the highest potential returns.
• You can lose a lot of money or get in over your head if you don’t do your research before investing.
Alternative Investments
Although stocks and bonds are the more traditional assets to invest in, there are other types of investments known under the broad category of “alternatives.” These different investment options are not necessarily tied to the stock or bond market, so they can provide some diversification potential. Below is a guide to alternative investments and how they work.
Real Estate
Owning real estate, either directly or as part of real estate investment trust (REIT) investing or limited partnerships, gives you a tangible asset that may increase in value over time.
If you become invested in real estate outside of your own home, rent payments can be a regular source of income. However, real estate can also be risky and labor-intensive.
Pros and Cons of Real Estate
Before you invest in real estate, be sure to consider the pros and cons, including:
Pros:
• Real estate is a tangible asset that tends to appreciate in value.
• There are typically tax deductions and benefits, depending on what you own.
• Investing in real estate with a REIT can help diversify your portfolio.
• By law, REITs must pay 90% of their income in dividends.
• REITs offer more liquidity than owning rental property you need to sell.
• REITs don’t require the work that maintaining a rental property does.
Cons:
• Real estate is not liquid. You may have a tough time selling it quickly.
• There are constant ongoing expenses to maintain a property.
• Owning rental property is a lot of work. You have to handle managing it, cleaning it, and making repairs.
• With a REIT, dividends are taxed at a rate that’s usually higher than the rate for many other investments.
• REITs are generally very sensitive to changes in interest rates, especially rising rates.
• REITs can be a risky short-term investment and investors should plan to hold onto them for the long term.
Commodities
A commodity is a raw material — such as oil, gold, corn or coffee. Trading commodities has a reputation for being risky and volatile. That’s because they’re heavily driven by supply and demand forces. Say for instance, there’s a bad harvest of coffee beans one year. That might help push up prices. But on the other hand, if a country discovers a major oil field, that could dramatically depress prices of the fuel.
Investors have several ways they can gain exposure to commodities. They can directly hold the physical commodity, although this option is very rare for individual investors (Imagine having to store barrels and barrels of oil).
So many investors wager on commodity markets via derivatives — financial contracts whose prices are tied to the underlying raw material. For instance, instead of buying physical bars of precious metals to invest in them, a trader might use futures contracts to make speculative bets on gold or silver. Another way that retail investors may get exposure to commodities is through exchanged-traded funds (ETFs) that track prices of raw materials.
Pros and Cons of Commodities
These are the benefits and drawbacks of commodities for prospective investors to consider, such as:
Pros:
• Commodities can diversify an investor’s portfolio.
• Commodities tend to be more protected from the volatility of the stock market than stocks and bonds.
• Prices of commodities are driven by supply and demand instead of the market, which can make them more resilient.
• Investing in commodities can help hedge against inflation because commodities prices rise when consumer prices do.
Cons:
• Commodities are considered high-risk investments because the commodities market can fluctuate based on factors like the weather. Prices could plummet suddenly.
• Commodities trading is often best left to investors experienced in trading in them.
• Commodities offer no dividends.
• An investor could end up having to take physical possession of a commodity if they don’t close out the position, and/or having to sell it.
Private Companies
Only public companies sell shares of stock, however private companies do also look for investment at times — it typically comes in the form of private rounds of direct funding. If the company you invest in ends up increasing in value, that can pay off, but it can also be risky.
Pros and Cons of Private Companies
Investing in private companies could have the following benefits and drawbacks:
Pros:
• Potential for good returns on your investment.
• Lets investors get in early with promising startups and/or innovative technology or products.
• Investing in private companies can help diversify your portfolio.
Cons:
• You could lose your money if the company fails.
• The value of your shares in the company could be reduced if the company issues new shares or chooses to raise additional capital. Your shares may then be worth less (this is known as dilution).
• Investing in a private company is illiquid, and it can be very difficult to sell your assets.
• Dividends are rarely paid by private companies.
• There could be potential for fraud since private company investment tends to be less regulated than other investments.
Cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency is a kind of digital currency that uses encryption and coding techniques for security. These currencies are independent and separate from fiat currencies-like the U.S. dollar or euro — which are examples of money issued by a government or central bank.
There are a number of different cryptocurrencies out there: Bitcoin was the first digital currency and is the most well-known. However, cryptocurrency prices have historically been very volatile, and the market is therefore considered to be a risky type of investment.
Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency
These are some of the pros and cons of cryptocurrency to consider before investing in them:
Pros:
• Possible potential to make money quickly. For instance, some cryptocurrencies have had short periods of significant gains (though then their value often fell).
• Investments in cryptocurrency are transparent because data is recorded on an open, public ledger powered by blockchain technology.
Cons:
• Investing in cryptocurrency is extremely risky.
• Cryptocurrency prices are notoriously volatile.
• Cryptocurrency can lose its value very quickly.
• Cryptocurrency is generally not formally regulated at the moment.
• Cryptocurrency is digital. If you lose your key to your digital wallet (aka the “place” where your crypto is stored), you lose access to your investment.
Overview of Investment Products
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is an investment managed by a professional. Funds typically focus on an asset class, industry or region, and investors pay fees to the fund manager to choose investments and buy and sell them at favorable prices.
Pros and Cons of Mutual Funds
If you’re thinking about investing in mutual funds, these are some pros and cons to be aware of:
Pros:
• Mutual funds are easy and convenient to buy.
• They ate more diversified than stocks and bonds so they carry less risk.
• A professional manager chooses the investments for you.
• You earn money when the assets in the mutual fund rise in value.
• There is dividend reinvestment, meaning dividends can be used to buy additional shares in the fund, which could help your investment grow.
Cons:
• There is typically a minimum investment you need to make.
• Mutual funds typically require an annual fee called an expense ratio and some funds may also have sales charges.
• Trades are executed only once per day at the close of the market, which means you can’t buy or sell mutual funds in real time.
• The management team could be poor or make bad decisions.
• You will generally owe taxes on distributions from the fund.
ETF
Exchange traded funds can appear to be similar to a mutual fund, but the main difference is that ETFs can be traded on a stock exchange, giving investors the flexibility to buy and sell throughout the day. They also come in a range of asset mixes.
Pros and Cons of ETFs
Investing in ETFs has advantages and disadvantages, including:
Pros:
• ETFs are easy to buy and sell on the stock market.
• They often have lower annual expense ratios (annual fees) than mutual funds.
• ETFs can help diversify your portfolio.
• They are more liquid than mutual funds.
Cons:
• The ease of trading ETFs might tempt an investor to sell an investment they should hold onto.
• A brokerage may charge commission for ETF trades.This could be in addition to fund management fees.
• May provide a lower yield on asset gains (as opposed to investing directly in the asset).
Annuities
An annuity is an insurance contract that an individual pays upfront and, in turn, receives set payments.
There are fixed annuities, which guarantee a set payment, and variable annuities, which put people’s payments into investment options and pay out down the road at set intervals. There are also immediate annuities that begin making regular payments to investors right away.
Pros and Cons of Annuities
Before investing in annuities, it’s wise to understand the pros and cons.
Pros:
• Annuities are generally low risk investments.
• They offer regular payments.
• Some types offer guaranteed rates of return.
• Can be a good supplement investment for retirement.
Cons:
• Annuities typically offer lower returns compared to stocks and bonds.
• They typically have high fees.
• Annuities are complex and difficult to understand.
• It can be challenging to get out of an annuities contract
Derivatives
There are several types of derivatives but two popular ones are futures and options. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell something (a security or a commodity) at a fixed price in the future.
Meanwhile, in options trading, buyers have the right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a set price.
A derivatives trading guide can be helpful to learn more about how these investments work.
Pros and Cons of Derivatives
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to weigh when it comes to investing in derivatives.
Pros:
• Derivatives allow investors to lock in a price on a security or commodity.
• They can be helpful for mitigating risk with certain assets.
• They provide income when an investor sells them.
Cons:
• Derivatives can be very risky and are best left to traders who have experience with them.
• Trading derivatives is very complex.
• Because they expire on a certain date, the timing might not work in your favor.
💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.
Investment Account Options
An investor can put money into different types of investment accounts, each with their own benefits. The type of account can impact what kinds of returns an investor sees, as well as when and how they can withdraw their money.
401(k)
A 401(k) plan is a retirement account provided by your employer. You can often put money into a 401(k) account via a simple payroll deduction, and in a traditional 401(k), your contribution isn’t taxed as income. Many employers will also match your contributions to a certain point. The IRS puts caps on how much you can contribute to a 401(k) annually.
Pros and Cons of 401(k)s
These are the pros and cons of investing in a 401(k):
Pros:
• Contributions you make to a 401(k) can reduce your taxable income. The money is not taxed until you withdraw it when you retire.
• Contributions can be automatically deducted from your paycheck.
• Your employer may provide matching funds up to a certain limit.
• You can roll over a 401(k) if you leave your job.
Cons:
• There is a cap on how much you can contribute each year.
• Most withdrawals before age 59 ½ will incur a 10% penalty.
• You must take required minimum distributions from the plan (RMDs) when you reach a certain age.
• You may have limited investment options.
IRA
IRA stands for “individual retirement account” — so it isn’t tied to an employer. There are IRS guidelines for IRAs, but, essentially, they’re retirement accounts for individuals. IRAs allow people to set aside money pre-tax for retirement without needing an employer-backed 401(k).
Pros and Cons of IRAs
The advantages and disadvantages of IRAs include:
Pros:
• Contributions are tax deferred. You don’t pay taxes until you withdraw the funds.
• You can choose how the money is invested, giving you more control.
• Those aged 50 and over can contribute an extra $1,000 in catch-up contributions.
Cons:
• Low contribution limits ($6,500 in 2023).
• There is a 10% penalty for most early withdrawals before age 59 ½.
Roth vs Traditional
Both 401(k) plans and IRAs come in two forms: Roth or traditional. A traditional account typically means contributions are tax-deductible and future withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.
A Roth account essentially allows you to make qualified withdrawals down the road without paying tax on them, but all contributions now are made with post-tax income.
Brokerage Accounts
A brokerage account is a taxed account through which you can buy most of the investments discussed here: stocks, bonds, ETFs. Some brokerage firms charge fees on the trades you make, while others offer free trading but send your orders to third parties to execute — a practice known as payment for order flow. Investors can be taxed on any realized gains.
You might also consider enlisting the help of a wealth manager or financial advisor who can provide financial planning and advice, and then manage your portfolio and wealth. Typically, these advisors are paid a fee based on the assets they manage.
There are even a number of investment options out there not listed here — like buying into a venture capital firm if you’re a high-net-worth individual or putting funding into your own business.
Pros and Cons of Brokerage Accounts
There are benefits and drawbacks to brokerage accounts, such as:
Pros:
• Offer flexibility to invest in a wide range of assets.
• Brokerage accounts provide the potential for growth, depending on your investments. However, all investments come with risks that include the potential for loss.
• You can contribute as much as you like to a brokerage account.
Cons:
• You must pay taxes on your investment income and capital gains in the year they are received.
• Investments in brokerage accounts are not tax deductible.
• There is a risk that you could lose the money you invested.
Investing With SoFi
It might still seem overwhelming to figure out what kinds of investments will help you achieve your goals. There are different investment strategies and finding the right one can depend on where you are in your career, what your financial goals are and how far away retirement is.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.
FAQ
What is the most common investment type?
Stocks are one of the most common and well-known types of investments. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.
How do I decide when to invest?
Some prime times to start investing include when you have a retirement fund at work that you can contribute to and that your employer may contribute matching funds to (up to a certain amount); you have an emergency fund of three to six months’ worth of money already set aside and you have additional money to invest for your future; there are financial goals you’re ready to save up for, such as buying a house, saving for your kids’ college funds, or investing for retirement. Please remember you need to consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance when deciding the “right” time to start investing.
Should I use multiple investment types?
Yes. It’s wise to diversify your portfolio. That way, you’ll have different types of assets which will increase the chances that some of them will do well even when others don’t. This will also help reduce your risk of losing money on one single type of investment. In short, having a diverse mix of assets helps you balance risk with return. However, diversification does not eliminate all risk.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi Invest® The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below. 1) Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“Sofi Securities).
2) Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
3) Cryptocurrency is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of Sofi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit www.sofi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or prequalification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.
You probably have things you want to do with your money down the road: buy a house, save for retirement, fund college for your kids, maybe even go on a big trip or do a major remodel. And you may be wondering if investing can help you achieve those goals.
It’s never too early or too late to start investing. There are a number of different ways you can put your money to work, including choosing different investment types.
Different Types of Investments for Diversification
Before deciding on your investments, ask yourself what your financial goals are. Then try to build a portfolio that achieves those goals, balancing risk with return and maintaining a diverse mix of assets.
Having different types of investments, as well as short term vs long term investments can help you achieve portfolio diversification.
Bond Investments
Bonds are essentially loans you make to a company or a government — federal or local — for a fixed period of time. In return for loaning them money, they promise to pay it back to you in the future and pay you interest in the meantime.
When it comes to bonds vs. stocks, the former are typically backed by the full faith and credit of the government or large companies. Because of this, they’re often considered lower risk than stocks.
However, the risk varies, and bonds are rated for their quality and credit-worthiness. Because the U.S. government is less likely to go bankrupt than an individual company, Treasury bonds are considered to be some of the least risky investments. However, they also tend to have lower returns.
Different Types of Bonds
Treasurys: These are bonds issued by the U.S. government. Treasurys can have maturities that range from one-month to 30-years, but the 10-year note is considered a benchmark for the bond market as a whole.
Municipal bonds: Local governments or agencies can also issue their own bonds. For example, a school district or water agency might take out a bond to pay for improvements or construction and then pay it off, with interest, at whatever terms they’ve established.
Corporate bonds: Corporations also issue bonds. These are typically given a credit rating, with AAA being the highest. High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, tend to have higher yields but lower credit ratings.
Mortgage and asset-backed bonds: Sometimes financial institutions bundle mortgages or other assets, like student loans and car loans, and then issue bonds backed by those loans and pass on the interest.
Zero-coupon bonds: Zero coupon bonds may be issued by the U.S. Treasury, corporations, and state and local government agencies. These bonds don’t pay interest. Instead, investors buy them at a great discount from their face value, and when a bond matures, the investor receives the face value of the bond.
Pros and Cons of Bonds
If you’re thinking about investing in bonds, these are some of the benefits and drawbacks to consider:
Pros:
• Bonds offer regular interest payments.
• Bonds tend to be lower risk than stocks.
• Treasurys are considered to be safe investments.
• High-yield bonds tend to pay higher returns and they have more consistent rates.
Cons:
• The rate of returns with bonds tends to be much lower than it is with stocks.
• Bond trading is not as fluid as stock trading. That means bonds may be more difficult to sell.
• Bonds can decrease in value during periods of high interest rates.
• High-yield bonds are riskier and have a higher risk of default, and investors could potentially lose all the money they’ve invested in them.
💡 Quick Tip: Investment fees are assessed in different ways, including trading costs, account management fees, and possibly broker commissions. When you set up an investment account, be sure to get the exact breakdown of your “all-in costs” so you know what you’re paying.
Stock Investments
When you think of investing and investment types, you probably think of the stock market. They are, essentially, investment fund basics. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.
Only public companies trade on the stock market; private companies are privately owned. They can sometimes still be invested in, though the process isn’t always as easy and open to as many investors.
A stock makes money in two ways: It could pay dividends if the company decides to pay out part of its profits to its shareholders, or an investor could sell the stock for more than they bought it.
Some investors are looking for steady streams of income and therefore pick stocks because of their dividend payments. Others may look at value or growth stocks, companies that are trading below their true worth or those that are experiencing revenue or earnings gains at a faster pace.
Pros and Cons of Stock Investments
Stocks have advantages and disadvantages to be aware of before investing in them. These include:
Pros:
• If the stock goes up, you can sell it for a profit.
• Some stocks pay dividends to investors.
• Stocks tend to offer higher potential returns than bonds.
• Stocks are considered liquid assets, so you can typically sell them quickly if necessary.
Cons:
• There are no guaranteed returns. For instance, the market could suddenly go down.
• The stock market can be volatile. Returns can vary widely from year to year.
• You typically need to hang onto stocks for many years to achieve the highest potential returns.
• You can lose a lot of money or get in over your head if you don’t do your research before investing.
Alternative Investments
Although stocks and bonds are the more traditional assets to invest in, there are other types of investments known under the broad category of “alternatives.” These different investment options are not necessarily tied to the stock or bond market, so they can provide some diversification potential. Below is a guide to alternative investments and how they work.
Real Estate
Owning real estate, either directly or as part of real estate investment trust (REIT) investing or limited partnerships, gives you a tangible asset that may increase in value over time.
If you become invested in real estate outside of your own home, rent payments can be a regular source of income. However, real estate can also be risky and labor-intensive.
Pros and Cons of Real Estate
Before you invest in real estate, be sure to consider the pros and cons, including:
Pros:
• Real estate is a tangible asset that tends to appreciate in value.
• There are typically tax deductions and benefits, depending on what you own.
• Investing in real estate with a REIT can help diversify your portfolio.
• By law, REITs must pay 90% of their income in dividends.
• REITs offer more liquidity than owning rental property you need to sell.
• REITs don’t require the work that maintaining a rental property does.
Cons:
• Real estate is not liquid. You may have a tough time selling it quickly.
• There are constant ongoing expenses to maintain a property.
• Owning rental property is a lot of work. You have to handle managing it, cleaning it, and making repairs.
• With a REIT, dividends are taxed at a rate that’s usually higher than the rate for many other investments.
• REITs are generally very sensitive to changes in interest rates, especially rising rates.
• REITs can be a risky short-term investment and investors should plan to hold onto them for the long term.
Commodities
A commodity is a raw material — such as oil, gold, corn or coffee. Trading commodities has a reputation for being risky and volatile. That’s because they’re heavily driven by supply and demand forces. Say for instance, there’s a bad harvest of coffee beans one year. That might help push up prices. But on the other hand, if a country discovers a major oil field, that could dramatically depress prices of the fuel.
Investors have several ways they can gain exposure to commodities. They can directly hold the physical commodity, although this option is very rare for individual investors (Imagine having to store barrels and barrels of oil).
So many investors wager on commodity markets via derivatives — financial contracts whose prices are tied to the underlying raw material. For instance, instead of buying physical bars of precious metals to invest in them, a trader might use futures contracts to make speculative bets on gold or silver. Another way that retail investors may get exposure to commodities is through exchanged-traded funds (ETFs) that track prices of raw materials.
Pros and Cons of Commodities
These are the benefits and drawbacks of commodities for prospective investors to consider, such as:
Pros:
• Commodities can diversify an investor’s portfolio.
• Commodities tend to be more protected from the volatility of the stock market than stocks and bonds.
• Prices of commodities are driven by supply and demand instead of the market, which can make them more resilient.
• Investing in commodities can help hedge against inflation because commodities prices rise when consumer prices do.
Cons:
• Commodities are considered high-risk investments because the commodities market can fluctuate based on factors like the weather. Prices could plummet suddenly.
• Commodities trading is often best left to investors experienced in trading in them.
• Commodities offer no dividends.
• An investor could end up having to take physical possession of a commodity if they don’t close out the position, and/or having to sell it.
Private Companies
Only public companies sell shares of stock, however private companies do also look for investment at times — it typically comes in the form of private rounds of direct funding. If the company you invest in ends up increasing in value, that can pay off, but it can also be risky.
Pros and Cons of Private Companies
Investing in private companies could have the following benefits and drawbacks:
Pros:
• Potential for good returns on your investment.
• Lets investors get in early with promising startups and/or innovative technology or products.
• Investing in private companies can help diversify your portfolio.
Cons:
• You could lose your money if the company fails.
• The value of your shares in the company could be reduced if the company issues new shares or chooses to raise additional capital. Your shares may then be worth less (this is known as dilution).
• Investing in a private company is illiquid, and it can be very difficult to sell your assets.
• Dividends are rarely paid by private companies.
• There could be potential for fraud since private company investment tends to be less regulated than other investments.
Cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency is a kind of digital currency that uses encryption and coding techniques for security. These currencies are independent and separate from fiat currencies-like the U.S. dollar or euro — which are examples of money issued by a government or central bank.
There are a number of different cryptocurrencies out there: Bitcoin was the first digital currency and is the most well-known. However, cryptocurrency prices have historically been very volatile, and the market is therefore considered to be a risky type of investment.
Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency
These are some of the pros and cons of cryptocurrency to consider before investing in them:
Pros:
• Possible potential to make money quickly. For instance, some cryptocurrencies have had short periods of significant gains (though then their value often fell).
• Investments in cryptocurrency are transparent because data is recorded on an open, public ledger powered by blockchain technology.
Cons:
• Investing in cryptocurrency is extremely risky.
• Cryptocurrency prices are notoriously volatile.
• Cryptocurrency can lose its value very quickly.
• Cryptocurrency is generally not formally regulated at the moment.
• Cryptocurrency is digital. If you lose your key to your digital wallet (aka the “place” where your crypto is stored), you lose access to your investment.
Overview of Investment Products
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is an investment managed by a professional. Funds typically focus on an asset class, industry or region, and investors pay fees to the fund manager to choose investments and buy and sell them at favorable prices.
Pros and Cons of Mutual Funds
If you’re thinking about investing in mutual funds, these are some pros and cons to be aware of:
Pros:
• Mutual funds are easy and convenient to buy.
• They ate more diversified than stocks and bonds so they carry less risk.
• A professional manager chooses the investments for you.
• You earn money when the assets in the mutual fund rise in value.
• There is dividend reinvestment, meaning dividends can be used to buy additional shares in the fund, which could help your investment grow.
Cons:
• There is typically a minimum investment you need to make.
• Mutual funds typically require an annual fee called an expense ratio and some funds may also have sales charges.
• Trades are executed only once per day at the close of the market, which means you can’t buy or sell mutual funds in real time.
• The management team could be poor or make bad decisions.
• You will generally owe taxes on distributions from the fund.
ETF
Exchange traded funds can appear to be similar to a mutual fund, but the main difference is that ETFs can be traded on a stock exchange, giving investors the flexibility to buy and sell throughout the day. They also come in a range of asset mixes.
Pros and Cons of ETFs
Investing in ETFs has advantages and disadvantages, including:
Pros:
• ETFs are easy to buy and sell on the stock market.
• They often have lower annual expense ratios (annual fees) than mutual funds.
• ETFs can help diversify your portfolio.
• They are more liquid than mutual funds.
Cons:
• The ease of trading ETFs might tempt an investor to sell an investment they should hold onto.
• A brokerage may charge commission for ETF trades.This could be in addition to fund management fees.
• May provide a lower yield on asset gains (as opposed to investing directly in the asset).
Annuities
An annuity is an insurance contract that an individual pays upfront and, in turn, receives set payments.
There are fixed annuities, which guarantee a set payment, and variable annuities, which put people’s payments into investment options and pay out down the road at set intervals. There are also immediate annuities that begin making regular payments to investors right away.
Pros and Cons of Annuities
Before investing in annuities, it’s wise to understand the pros and cons.
Pros:
• Annuities are generally low risk investments.
• They offer regular payments.
• Some types offer guaranteed rates of return.
• Can be a good supplement investment for retirement.
Cons:
• Annuities typically offer lower returns compared to stocks and bonds.
• They typically have high fees.
• Annuities are complex and difficult to understand.
• It can be challenging to get out of an annuities contract
Derivatives
There are several types of derivatives but two popular ones are futures and options. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell something (a security or a commodity) at a fixed price in the future.
Meanwhile, in options trading, buyers have the right, but not the obligation, to buy an asset at a set price.
A derivatives trading guide can be helpful to learn more about how these investments work.
Pros and Cons of Derivatives
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to weigh when it comes to investing in derivatives.
Pros:
• Derivatives allow investors to lock in a price on a security or commodity.
• They can be helpful for mitigating risk with certain assets.
• They provide income when an investor sells them.
Cons:
• Derivatives can be very risky and are best left to traders who have experience with them.
• Trading derivatives is very complex.
• Because they expire on a certain date, the timing might not work in your favor.
💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.
Investment Account Options
An investor can put money into different types of investment accounts, each with their own benefits. The type of account can impact what kinds of returns an investor sees, as well as when and how they can withdraw their money.
401(k)
A 401(k) plan is a retirement account provided by your employer. You can often put money into a 401(k) account via a simple payroll deduction, and in a traditional 401(k), your contribution isn’t taxed as income. Many employers will also match your contributions to a certain point. The IRS puts caps on how much you can contribute to a 401(k) annually.
Pros and Cons of 401(k)s
These are the pros and cons of investing in a 401(k):
Pros:
• Contributions you make to a 401(k) can reduce your taxable income. The money is not taxed until you withdraw it when you retire.
• Contributions can be automatically deducted from your paycheck.
• Your employer may provide matching funds up to a certain limit.
• You can roll over a 401(k) if you leave your job.
Cons:
• There is a cap on how much you can contribute each year.
• Most withdrawals before age 59 ½ will incur a 10% penalty.
• You must take required minimum distributions from the plan (RMDs) when you reach a certain age.
• You may have limited investment options.
IRA
IRA stands for “individual retirement account” — so it isn’t tied to an employer. There are IRS guidelines for IRAs, but, essentially, they’re retirement accounts for individuals. IRAs allow people to set aside money pre-tax for retirement without needing an employer-backed 401(k).
Pros and Cons of IRAs
The advantages and disadvantages of IRAs include:
Pros:
• Contributions are tax deferred. You don’t pay taxes until you withdraw the funds.
• You can choose how the money is invested, giving you more control.
• Those aged 50 and over can contribute an extra $1,000 in catch-up contributions.
Cons:
• Low contribution limits ($6,500 in 2023).
• There is a 10% penalty for most early withdrawals before age 59 ½.
Roth vs Traditional
Both 401(k) plans and IRAs come in two forms: Roth or traditional. A traditional account typically means contributions are tax-deductible and future withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.
A Roth account essentially allows you to make qualified withdrawals down the road without paying tax on them, but all contributions now are made with post-tax income.
Brokerage Accounts
A brokerage account is a taxed account through which you can buy most of the investments discussed here: stocks, bonds, ETFs. Some brokerage firms charge fees on the trades you make, while others offer free trading but send your orders to third parties to execute — a practice known as payment for order flow. Investors can be taxed on any realized gains.
You might also consider enlisting the help of a wealth manager or financial advisor who can provide financial planning and advice, and then manage your portfolio and wealth. Typically, these advisors are paid a fee based on the assets they manage.
There are even a number of investment options out there not listed here — like buying into a venture capital firm if you’re a high-net-worth individual or putting funding into your own business.
Pros and Cons of Brokerage Accounts
There are benefits and drawbacks to brokerage accounts, such as:
Pros:
• Offer flexibility to invest in a wide range of assets.
• Brokerage accounts provide the potential for growth, depending on your investments. However, all investments come with risks that include the potential for loss.
• You can contribute as much as you like to a brokerage account.
Cons:
• You must pay taxes on your investment income and capital gains in the year they are received.
• Investments in brokerage accounts are not tax deductible.
• There is a risk that you could lose the money you invested.
Investing With SoFi
It might still seem overwhelming to figure out what kinds of investments will help you achieve your goals. There are different investment strategies and finding the right one can depend on where you are in your career, what your financial goals are and how far away retirement is.
Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).
Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.
FAQ
What is the most common investment type?
Stocks are one of the most common and well-known types of investments. A stock gives an investor fractional ownership of a public company in units known as shares.
How do I decide when to invest?
Some prime times to start investing include when you have a retirement fund at work that you can contribute to and that your employer may contribute matching funds to (up to a certain amount); you have an emergency fund of three to six months’ worth of money already set aside and you have additional money to invest for your future; there are financial goals you’re ready to save up for, such as buying a house, saving for your kids’ college funds, or investing for retirement. Please remember you need to consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance when deciding the “right” time to start investing.
Should I use multiple investment types?
Yes. It’s wise to diversify your portfolio. That way, you’ll have different types of assets which will increase the chances that some of them will do well even when others don’t. This will also help reduce your risk of losing money on one single type of investment. In short, having a diverse mix of assets helps you balance risk with return. However, diversification does not eliminate all risk.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi Invest® The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below. 1) Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“Sofi Securities).
2) Active Investing—The Active Investing platform is owned by SoFi Securities LLC. Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
3) Cryptocurrency is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of Sofi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit www.sofi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or prequalification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A.
In Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023, I provided a comprehensive list of low-risk investments with predictable returns. But it’s precisely because those returns are low-risk that they also provide relatively low returns.
In this article, we’re going to look at high-yield investments, many of which involve a higher degree of risk but are also likely to provide higher returns.
True enough, low-risk investments are the right investment solution for anyone who’s looking to preserve capital and still earn some income.
But if you’re more interested in the income side of an investment, accepting a bit of risk can produce significantly higher returns. And at the same time, these investments will generally be less risky than growth stocks and other high-risk/high-reward investments.
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Determine How Much Risk You’re Willing to Take On
The risk we’re talking about with these high-yield investments is the potential for you to lose money. As is true when investing in any asset, you need to begin by determining how much you’re willing to risk in the pursuit of higher returns.
Chasing “high-yield returns” will make you broke if you don’t have clear financial goals you’re working towards.
I’m going to present a large number of high-yield investments, each with its own degree of risk. The purpose is to help you evaluate the risk/reward potential of these investments when selecting the ones that will be right for you.
If you’re looking for investments that are completely safe, you should favor one or more of the highly liquid, low-yield vehicles covered in Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023. In this article, we’re going to be going for something a little bit different. As such, please note that this is not in any way a blanket recommendation of any particular investment.
Best High-Yield Investments for 2023
Table of Contents
Below is my list of the 18 best high-yield investments for 2023. They’re not ranked or listed in order of importance. That’s because each is a unique investment class that you will need to carefully evaluate for suitability within your own portfolio.
Be sure that any investment you do choose will be likely to provide the return you expect at an acceptable risk level for your own personal risk tolerance.
1. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
Let’s start with this one, if only because it’s on just about every list of high-yield investments, especially in the current environment of rising inflation. It may not actually be the best high-yield investment, but it does have its virtues and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Basically, TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to accommodate inflation. They do pay regular interest, though it’s typically lower than the rate paid on ordinary Treasury securities of similar terms. The bonds are available with a minimum investment of $100, in terms of five, 10, and 30 years. And since they’re fully backed by the U.S. government, you are assured of receiving the full principal value if you hold a security until maturity.
But the real benefit—and the primary advantage—of these securities is the inflation principal additions. Each year, the Treasury will add an amount to the bond principal that’s commensurate with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Fortunately, while the principal will be added when the CPI rises (as it nearly always does), none will be deducted if the index goes negative.
You can purchase TIPS through the U.S. Treasury’s investment portal, Treasury Direct. You can also hold the securities as well as redeem them on the same platform. There are no commissions or fees when buying securities.
On the downside, TIPS are purely a play on inflation since the base rates are fairly low. And while the principal additions will keep you even with inflation, you should know that they are taxable in the year received.
Still, TIPS are an excellent low-risk, high-yield investment during times of rising inflation—like now.
2. I Bonds
If you’re looking for a true low-risk, high-yield investment, look no further than Series I bonds. With the current surge in inflation, these bonds have become incredibly popular, though they are limited.
I bonds are currently paying 6.89%. They can be purchased electronically in denominations as little as $25. However, you are limited to purchasing no more than $10,000 in I bonds per calendar year. Since they are issued by the U.S. Treasury, they’re fully protected by the U.S. government. You can purchase them through the Treasury Department’s investment portal, TreasuryDirect.gov.
“The cash in my savings account is on fire,” groans Scott Lieberman, Founder of Touchdown Money. “Inflation has my money in flames, each month incinerating more and more. To defend against this, I purchased an I bond. When I decide to get my money back, the I bond will have been protected against inflation by being worth more than what I bought it for. I highly recommend getting yourself a super safe Series I bond with money you can stash away for at least one year.”
You may not be able to put your entire bond portfolio into Series I bonds. But just a small investment, at nearly 10%, can increase the overall return on your bond allocation.
3. Corporate Bonds
The average rate of return on a bank savings account is 0.33%. The average rate on a money market account is 0.09%, and 0.25% on a 12-month CD.
Now, there are some banks paying higher rates, but generally only in the 1%-plus range.
If you want higher returns on your fixed income portfolio, and you’re willing to accept a moderate level of risk, you can invest in corporate bonds. Not only do they pay higher rates than banks, but you can lock in those higher rates for many years.
For example, the average current yield on a AAA-rated corporate bond is 4.55%. Now that’s the rate for AAA bonds, which are the highest-rated securities. You can get even higher rates on bonds with lower ratings, which we will cover in the next section.
Corporate bonds sell in face amounts of $1,000, though the price may be higher or lower depending on where interest rates are. If you choose to buy individual corporate bonds, expect to buy them in lots of ten. That means you’ll likely need to invest $10,000 in a single issue. Brokers will typically charge a small per-bond fee on purchase and sale.
An alternative may be to take advantage of corporate bond funds. That will give you an opportunity to invest in a portfolio of bonds for as little as the price of one share of an ETF. And because they are ETFs, they can usually be bought and sold commission free.
You can typically purchase corporate bonds and bond funds through popular stock brokers, like Zacks Trade, TD Ameritrade.
Corporate Bond Risk
Be aware that the value of corporate bonds, particularly those with maturities greater than 10 years, can fall if interest rates rise. Conversely, the value of the bonds can rise if interest rates fall.
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4. High-Yield Bonds
In the previous section we talked about how interest rates on corporate bonds vary based on each bond issue’s rating. A AAA bond, being the safest, has the lowest yield. But a riskier bond, such as one rated BBB, will provide a higher rate of return.
If you’re looking to earn higher interest than you can with investment-grade corporate bonds, you can get those returns with so-called high-yield bonds. Because they have a lower rating, they pay higher interest, sometimes much higher.
The average yield on high-yield bonds is 8.29%. But that’s just an average. The yield on a bond rated B will be higher than one rated BB.
You should also be aware that, in addition to potential market value declines due to rising interest rates, high-yield bonds are more likely to default than investment-grade bonds. That’s why they pay higher interest rates. (They used to call these bonds “junk bonds,” but that kind of description is a marketing disaster.) Because of those twin risks, junk bonds should occupy only a small corner of your fixed-income portfolio.
High Yield Bond Risk
In a rapidly rising interest rate environment, high-yield bonds are more likely to default.
High-yield bonds can be purchased under similar terms and in the same places where you can trade corporate bonds. There are also ETFs that specialize in high-yield bonds and will be a better choice for most investors, since they will include diversification across many different bond issues.
5. Municipal Bonds
Just as corporations and the U.S. Treasury issue bonds, so do state and local governments. These are referred to as municipal bonds. They work much like other bond types, particularly corporates. They can be purchased in similar denominations through online brokers.
The main advantage enjoyed by municipal bonds is their tax-exempt status for federal income tax purposes. And if you purchase a municipal bond issued by your home state, or a municipality within that state, the interest will also be tax-exempt for state income tax purposes.
That makes municipal bonds an excellent source of tax-exempt income in a nonretirement account. (Because retirement accounts are tax-sheltered, it makes little sense to include municipal bonds in those accounts.)
Municipal bond rates are currently hovering just above 3% for AAA-rated bonds. And while that’s an impressive return by itself, it masks an even higher yield.
Because of their tax-exempt status, the effective yield on municipal bonds will be higher than the note rate. For example, if your combined federal and state marginal income tax rates are 25%, the effective yield on a municipal bond paying 3% will be 4%. That gives an effective rate comparable with AAA-rated corporate bonds.
Municipal bonds, like other bonds, are subject to market value fluctuations due to interest rate changes. And while it’s rare, there have been occasional defaults on these bonds.
Like corporate bonds, municipal bonds carry ratings that affect the interest rates they pay. You can investigate bond ratings through sources like Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.
Fund
Symbol
Type
Current Yield
5 Average Annual Return
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
VIPSX
TIPS
0.06%
3.02%
SPDR® Portfolio Interm Term Corp Bond ETF
SPIB
Corporate
4.38%
1.44%
iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF
HYGH
High-Yield
5.19%
2.02%
Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (PVI)
PVI
Municipal
0.53%
0.56%
6. Longer Term Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
This is another investment that falls under the low risk/relatively high return classification. As interest rates have risen in recent months, rates have crept up on certificates of deposit. Unlike just one year ago, CDs now merit consideration.
But the key is to invest in certificates with longer terms.
“Another lower-risk option is to consider a Certificate of Deposit (CD),” advises Lance C. Steiner, CFP at Buckingham Advisors. “Banks, credit unions, and many other financial institutions offer CDs with maturities ranging from 6 months to 60 months. Currently, a 6-month CD may pay between 0.75% and 1.25% where a 24-month CD may pay between 2.20% and 3.00%. We suggest considering a short-term ladder since interest rates are expected to continue rising.” (Stated interest rates for the high-yield savings and CDs were obtained at bankrate.com.)
Most banks offer certificates of deposit with terms as long as five years. Those typically have the highest yields.
But the longer term does involve at least a moderate level of risk. If you invest in a CD for five years that’s currently paying 3%, the risk is that interest rates will continue rising. If they do, you’ll miss out on the higher returns available on newer certificates. But the risk is still low overall since the bank guarantees to repay 100% of your principle upon certificate maturity.
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7. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending
Do you know how banks borrow from you—at 1% interest—then loan the same money to your neighbor at rates sometimes as high as 20%? It’s quite a racket, and a profitable one at that.
But do you also know that you have the same opportunity as a bank? It’s an investing process known as peer-to-peer lending, or P2P for short.
P2P lending essentially eliminates the bank. As an investor, you’ll provide the funds for borrowers on a P2P platform. Most of these loans will be in the form of personal loans for a variety of purposes. But some can also be business loans, medical loans, and for other more specific purposes.
As an investor/lender, you get to keep more of the interest rate return on those loans. You can invest easily through online P2P platforms.
One popular example is Prosper. They offer primarily personal loans in amounts ranging between $2,000 and $40,000. You can invest in small slivers of these loans, referred to as “notes.” Notes can be purchased for as little as $25.
That small denomination will make it possible to diversify your investment across many different loans. You can even choose the loans you will invest in based on borrower credit scores, income, loan terms, and purposes.
Prosper, which has managed $20 billion in P2P loans since 2005, claims a historical average return of 5.7%. That’s a high rate of return on what is essentially a fixed-income investment. But that’s because there exists the possibility of loss due to borrower default.
However, you can minimize the likelihood of default by carefully choosing borrower loan quality. That means focusing on borrowers with higher credit scores, incomes, and more conservative loan purposes (like debt consolidation).
8. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs are an excellent way to participate in real estate investment, and the return it provides, without large amounts of capital or the need to manage properties. They’re publicly traded, closed-end investment funds that can be bought and sold on major stock exchanges. They invest primarily in commercial real estate, like office buildings, retail space, and large apartment complexes.
If you’re planning to invest in a REIT, you should be aware that there are three different types.
“Equity REITs purchase commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties,” reports Robert R. Johnson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, Professor of Finance, Heider College of Business, Creighton University and co-author of several books, including The Tools and Techniques Of Investment Planning, Strategic Value Investing and Investment Banking for Dummies. “Income is derived primarily from the rental on the properties, as well as from the sale of properties that have increased in value. Mortgage REITs invest in property mortgages. The income is primarily from the interest they earn on the mortgage loans. Hybrid REITs invest both directly in property and in mortgages on properties.”
Johnson also cautions:
“Investors should understand that equity REITs are more like stocks and mortgage REITs are more like bonds. Hybrid REITs are like a mix of stocks and bonds.”
Mortgage REITs, in particular, are an excellent way to earn steady dividend income without being closely tied to the stock market.
Examples of specific REITs are listed in the table below (source: Kiplinger):
REIT
Equity or Mortgage
Property Type
Dividend Yield
12 Month Return
Rexford Industrial Realty
REXR
Industrial warehouse space
2.02%
2.21%
Sun Communities
SUI
Manufactured housing, RVs, resorts, marinas
2.19%
-14.71%
American Tower
AMT
Multi-tenant cell towers
2.13%
-9.00%
Prologis
PLD
Industrial real estate
2.49%
-0.77%
Camden Property Trust
CPT
Apartment complexes
2.77%
-7.74%
Alexandria Real Estate Equities
ARE
Research Properties
3.14%
-23.72%
Digital Realty Trust
DLR
Data centers
3.83%
-17.72%
9. Real Estate Crowdfunding
If you prefer direct investment in a property of your choice, rather than a portfolio, you can invest in real estate crowdfunding. You invest your money, but management of the property will be handled by professionals. With real estate crowdfunding, you can pick out individual properties, or invest in nonpublic REITs that invest in very specific portfolios.
One of the best examples of real estate crowdfunding is Fundrise. That’s because you can invest with as little as $500 or create a customized portfolio with no more than $1,000. Not only does Fundrise charge low fees, but they also have multiple investment options. You can start small in managed investments, and eventually trade up to investing in individual deals.
One thing to be aware of with real estate crowdfunding is that many require accredited investor status. That means being high income, high net worth, or both. If you are an accredited investor, you’ll have many more choices in the real estate crowdfunding space.
If you are not an accredited investor, that doesn’t mean you’ll be prevented from investing in this asset class. Part of the reason why Fundrise is so popular is that they don’t require accredited investor status. There are other real estate crowdfunding platforms that do the same.
Just be careful if you want to invest in real estate through real estate crowdfunding platforms. You will be expected to tie your money up for several years, and early redemption is often not possible. And like most investments, there is the possibility of losing some or all your investment principal.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
10. Physical Real Estate
We’ve talked about investing in real estate through REITs and real estate crowdfunding. But you can also invest directly in physical property, including residential property or even commercial.
Owning real estate outright means you have complete control over the investment. And since real estate is a large-dollar investment, the potential returns are also large.
For starters, average annual returns on real estate are impressive. They’re even comparable to stocks. Residential real estate has generated average returns of 10.6%, while commercial property has returned an average of 9.5%.
Next, real estate has the potential to generate income from two directions, from rental income and capital gains. But because of high property values in many markets around the country, it will be difficult to purchase real estate that will produce a positive cash flow, at least in the first few years.
Generally speaking, capital gains are where the richest returns come from. Property purchased today could double or even triple in 20 years, creating a huge windfall. And this will be a long-term capital gain, to get the benefit of a lower tax bite.
Finally, there’s the leverage factor. You can typically purchase an investment property with a 20% down payment. That means you can purchase a $500,000 property with $100,000 out-of-pocket.
By calculating your capital gains on your upfront investment, the returns are truly staggering. If the $500,000 property doubles to $1 million in 20 years, the $500,000 profit generated will produce a 500% gain on your $100,000 investment.
On the negative side, real estate is certainly a very long-term investment. It also comes with high transaction fees, often as high as 10% of the sale price. And not only will it require a large down payment up front, but also substantial investment of time managing the property.
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11. High Dividend Stocks
“The best high-yield investment is dividend stocks,” declares Harry Turner, Founder at The Sovereign Investor. “While there is no guaranteed return with stocks, over the long term stocks have outperformed other investments such as bonds and real estate. Among stocks, dividend-paying stocks have outperformed non-dividend paying stocks by more than 2 percentage points per year on average over the last century. In addition, dividend stocks tend to be less volatile than non-dividend paying stocks, meaning they are less likely to lose value in downturns.”
You can certainly invest in individual stocks that pay high dividends. But a less risky way to do it, and one that will avoid individual stock selection, is to invest through a fund.
One of the most popular is the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL). It has provided a return of 1.67% in the 12 months ending May 31, and an average of 12.33% per year since the fund began in October 2013. The fund currently has a 1.92% dividend yield.
The so-called Dividend Aristocrats are popular because they represent 60+ S&P 500 companies, with a history of increasing their dividends for at least the past 25 years.
“Dividend Stocks are an excellent way to earn some quality yield on your investments while simultaneously keeping inflation at bay,” advises Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney at Oak View Law Group, one of the largest law firms in America. “Dividends are usually paid out by well-established and successful companies that no longer need to reinvest all of the profits back into the business.”
It gets better. “These companies and their stocks are safer to invest in owing to their stature, large customer base, and hold over the markets,” adds Solomon. “The best part about dividend stocks is that many of these companies increase dividends year on year.”
The table below shows some popular dividend-paying stocks. Each is a so-called “Dividend Aristocrat”, which means it’s part of the S&P 500 and has increased its dividend in each of at least the past 25 years.
Company
Symbol
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AbbVie
ABBV
$5.64
3.80%
Armcor PLC
AMCR
$0.48
3.81%
Chevron
CVX
$5.68
3.94%
ExxonMobil
XOM
$3.52
4.04%
IBM
IBM
$6.60
5.15%
Realty Income Corp
O
$2.97
4.16%
Walgreen Boots Alliance
WBA
$1.92
4.97%
12. Preferred Stocks
Preferred stocks are a very specific type of dividend stock. Just like common stock, preferred stock represents an interest in a publicly traded company. They’re often thought of as something of a hybrid between stocks and bonds because they contain elements of both.
Though common stocks can pay dividends, they don’t always. Preferred stocks on the other hand, always pay dividends. Those dividends can be either a fixed amount or based on a variable dividend formula. For example, a company can base the dividend payout on a recognized index, like the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate). The percentage of dividend payout will then change as the index rate does.
Preferred stocks have two major advantages over common stock. First, as “preferred” securities, they have a priority on dividend payments. A company is required to pay their preferred shareholders dividends ahead of common stockholders. Second, preferred stocks have higher dividend yields than common stocks in the same company.
You can purchase preferred stock through online brokers, some of which are listed under “Growth Stocks” below.
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Preferred Stock Caveats
The disadvantage of preferred stocks is that they don’t entitle the holder to vote in corporate elections. But some preferred stocks offer a conversion option. You can exchange your preferred shares for a specific number of common stock shares in the company. Since the conversion will likely be exercised when the price of the common shares takes a big jump, there’s the potential for large capital gains—in addition to the higher dividend.
Be aware that preferred stocks can also be callable. That means the company can authorize the repurchase of the stock at its discretion. Most will likely do that at a time when interest rates are falling, and they no longer want to pay a higher dividend on the preferred stock.
Preferred stock may also have a maturity date, which is typically 30–40 years after its original issuance. The company will typically redeem the shares at the original issue price, eliminating the possibility of capital gains.
Not all companies issue preferred stock. If you choose this investment, be sure it’s with a company that’s well-established and has strong financials. You should also pay close attention to the details of the issuance, including and especially any callability provisions, dividend formulas, and maturity dates.
13. Growth Stocks
This sector is likely the highest risk investment on this list. But it also may be the one with the highest yield, at least over the long term. That’s why we’re including it on this list.
Based on the S&P 500 index, stocks have returned an average of 10% per year for the past 50 years. But it is important to realize that’s only an average. The market may rise 40% one year, then fall 20% the next. To be successful with this investment, you must be committed for the long haul, up to and including several decades.
And because of the potential wide swings, growth stocks are not recommended for funds that will be needed within the next few years. In general, growth stocks work best for retirement plans. That’s where they’ll have the necessary decades to build and compound.
Since most of the return on growth stocks is from capital gains, you’ll get the benefit of lower long-term capital gains tax rates, at least with securities held in a taxable account. (The better news is capital gains on investments held in retirement accounts are tax-deferred until retirement.)
You can choose to invest in individual stocks, but that’s a fairly high-maintenance undertaking. A better way may be to simply invest in ETFs tied to popular indexes. For example, ETFs based on the S&P 500 are very popular among investors.
You can purchase growth stocks and growth stock ETFs commission free with brokers like M1 Finance, Zacks Trade, Wealthsimple.
14. Annuities
Annuities are something like creating your own private pension. It’s an investment contract you take with an insurance company, in which you invest a certain amount of money in exchange for a specific income stream. They can be an excellent source of high yields because the return is locked in by the contract.
Annuities come in many different varieties. Two major classifications are immediate and deferred annuities. As the name implies, immediate annuities begin paying an income stream shortly after the contract begins.
Deferred annuities work something like retirement plans. You may deposit a fixed amount of money with the insurance company upfront or make regular installments. In either case, income payments will begin at a specified point in the future.
With deferred annuities, the income earned within the plan is tax-deferred and paid upon withdrawal. But unlike retirement accounts, annuity contributions are not tax-deductible. Investment returns can either be fixed-rate or variable-rate, depending on the specific annuity setup.
While annuities are an excellent idea and concept, the wide variety of plans as well as the many insurance companies and agents offering them, make them a potential minefield. For example, many annuities are riddled with high fees and are subject to limited withdrawal options.
Because they contain so many moving parts, any annuity contracts you plan to enter into should be carefully reviewed. Pay close attention to all the details, including the small ones. It is, after all, a contract, and therefore legally binding. For that reason, you may want to have a potential annuity reviewed by an attorney before finalizing the deal.
15. Alternative Investments
Alternative investments cover a lot of territory. Examples include precious metals, commodities, private equity, art and collectibles, and digital assets. These fall more in the category of high risk/potential high reward, and you should proceed very carefully and with only the smallest slice of your portfolio.
To simplify the process of selecting alternative assets, you can invest through platforms such as Yieldstreet. With a single cash investment, you can invest in multiple alternatives.
“Investors can purchase real estate directly on Yieldstreet, through fractionalized investments in single deals,” offers Milind Mehere, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Yieldstreet. “Investors can access private equity and private credit at high minimums by investing in a private market fund (think Blackstone or KKR, for instance). On Yieldstreet, they can have access to third-party funds at a fraction of the previously required minimums. Yieldstreet also offers venture capital (fractionalized) exposure directly. Buying a piece of blue-chip art can be expensive, and prohibitive for most investors, which is why Yieldstreet offers fractionalized assets to diversified art portfolios.”
Yieldstreet also provides access to digital asset investments, with the benefit of allocating to established professional funds, such as Pantera or Osprey Fund. The platform does not currently offer commodities but plans to do so in the future.
Access to wide array of alternative asset classes
Access to ultra-wealthy investments
Can invest for income or growth
Learn More Now
Alternative investments largely require thinking out-of-the-box. Some of the best investment opportunities are also the most unusual.
“The price of meat continues to rise, while agriculture remains a recession-proof investment as consumer demand for food is largely inelastic,” reports Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, a platform for investing in private agriculture companies. “Consequently, investors are seeing solid returns from high-yield, grass-fed cattle notes.”
16. Interest Bearing Crypto Accounts
Though the primary appeal of investing in cryptocurrency has been the meteoric rises in price, now that the trend seems to be in reverse, the better play may be in interest-bearing crypto accounts. A select group of crypto exchanges pays high interest on your crypto balance.
One example is Gemini. Not only do they provide an opportunity to buy, sell, and store more than 100 cryptocurrencies—plus non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—but they are currently paying 8.05% APY on your crypto balance through Gemini Earn.
In another variation of being able to earn money on crypto, Crypto.com pays rewards of up to 14.5% on crypto held on the platform. That’s the maximum rate, as rewards vary by crypto. For example, rewards on Bitcoin and Ethereum are paid at 6%, while stablecoins can earn 8.5%.
It’s important to be aware that when investing in cryptocurrency, you will not enjoy the benefit of FDIC insurance. That means you can lose money on your investment. But that’s why crypto exchanges pay such high rates of return, whether it’s in the form of interest or rewards.
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17. Crypto Staking
Another way to play cryptocurrency is a process known as crypto staking. This is where the crypto exchange pays you a certain percentage as compensation or rewards for monitoring a specific cryptocurrency. This is not like crypto mining, which brings crypto into existence. Instead, you’ll participate in writing that particular blockchain and monitoring its security.
“Crypto staking is a concept wherein you can buy and lock a cryptocurrency in a protocol, and you will earn rewards for the amount and time you have locked the cryptocurrency,” reports Oak View Law Group’s Lyle Solomon.
“The big downside to staking crypto is the value of cryptocurrencies, in general, is extremely volatile, and the value of your staked crypto may reduce drastically,” Solomon continues, “However, you can stake stable currencies like USDC, which have their value pegged to the U.S. dollar, and would imply you earn staked rewards without a massive decrease in the value of your investment.”
Much like earning interest and rewards on crypto, staking takes place on crypto exchanges. Two exchanges that feature staking include Coinbase and Kraken. These are two of the largest crypto exchanges in the industry, and they provide a wide range of crypto opportunities, in addition to staking.
Invest in Startup Businesses and Companies
Have you ever heard the term “angel investor”? That’s a private investor, usually, a high net worth individual, who provides capital to small businesses, often startups. That capital is in the form of equity. The angel investor invests money in a small business, becomes a part owner of the company, and is entitled to a share of the company’s earnings.
In most cases, the angel investor acts as a silent partner. That means he or she receives dividend distributions on the equity invested but doesn’t actually get involved in the management of the company.
It’s a potentially lucrative investment opportunity because small businesses have a way of becoming big businesses. As they grow, both your equity and your income from the business also grow. And if the business ever goes public, you could be looking at a life-changing windfall!
Easy Ways to Invest in Startup Businesses
Mainvest is a simple, easy way to invest in small businesses. It’s an online investment platform where you can get access to returns as high as 25%, with an investment of just $100. Mainvest offers vetted businesses (the acceptance rate is just 5% of business that apply) for you to invest in.
It collects revenue, which will be paid to you quarterly. And because the minimum required investment is so small, you can invest in several small businesses at the same time. One of the big advantages with Mainvest is that you are not required to be an accredited investor.
Still another opportunity is through Fundrise Innovation Fund. I’ve already covered how Fundrise is an excellent real estate crowdfunding platform. But through their recently launched Innovaton Fund, you’ll have opportunity to invest in high-growth private technology companies. As a fund, you’ll invest in a portfolio of late-stage tech companies, as well as some public equities.
The purpose of the fund is to provide high growth, and the fund is currently offering shares with a net asset value of $10. These are long-term investments, so you should expect to remain invested for at least five years. But you may receive dividends in the meantime.
Like Mainvest, the Fundrise Innovation Fund does not require you to be an accredited investor.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
Final Thoughts on High Yield Investing
Notice that I’ve included a mix of investments based on a combination of risk and return. The greater the risk associated with the investment, the higher the stated or expected return will be.
It’s important when choosing any of these investments that you thoroughly assess the risk involved with each, and not focus primarily on return. These are not 100% safe investments, like short-term CDs, short-term Treasury securities, savings accounts, or bank money market accounts.
Because there is risk associated with each, most are not suitable as short-term investments. They make most sense for long-term investment accounts, particularly retirement accounts.
For example, growth stocks—and most stocks, for that matter—should generally be in a retirement account. While there will be years when you will suffer losses in your position, you’ll have enough years to offset those losses between now and retirement.
Also, if you don’t understand any of the above investments, it will be best to avoid making them. And for more complicated investments, like annuities, you should consult with a professional to evaluate the suitability and all the provisions it contains.
FAQ’s on High Yield Investment Options
What investment has the highest yield?
The investment with the highest yield will vary depending on a number of factors, including current market conditions and the amount of risk an investor is willing to take on. Generally speaking, investments with the potential for high yields also come with a higher level of risk, so it’s important for investors to carefully consider their options and choose investments that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Some examples of high-yield investments include:
1. Stocks: Some stocks may offer high dividend yields, which is the annual dividend payment a company makes to its shareholders, expressed as a percentage of the stock’s current market price.
2. Real estate: Investing in real estate, either directly by purchasing property or indirectly through a real estate investment trust (REIT), can potentially generate high returns in the form of rental income and appreciation of the property value.
3. High-yield bonds: High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, are bonds that are issued by companies with lower credit ratings and thus offer higher yields to compensate for the added risk.
4. Private lending: Investing in private loans, such as through peer-to-peer lending platforms, can potentially offer high yields, but it also carries a higher level of risk.
5. Commodities: Investing in commodities, such as precious metals or oil, can potentially generate high returns if the prices of those commodities rise. However, the prices of commodities can also be volatile and subject to market fluctuations.
It’s important to note that these are just examples and not recommendations. As with any investment, it’s crucial to carefully research and consider all the potential risks and rewards before making a decision.
Where can I invest my money to get high returns?
There are a number of places you can invest your money to get high returns. One option is to invest in stocks, which typically offer higher returns than other investment options. Another option is to invest in bonds, which are considered a relatively safe investment option.
You could also invest in real estate, which has the potential to provide high returns if done correctly. Finally, you could also invest in commodities, such as gold or silver, which can be a risky investment but can also offer high returns.
What investments can I make a 10% return?
It’s difficult to predict exactly what investments will generate a 10% return, as investment returns can vary depending on a number of factors, including market conditions and the performance of the specific investment. Some investments, such as stocks and real estate, have the potential to generate returns in excess of 10%, but they also come with a higher level of risk. It’s important to remember that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, and that all investments carry some degree of risk
Cost of carry refers to any and all ongoing costs that you need to pay in conjunction with holding a given investment. Transaction costs, which are incurred upon the purchase or sale of the asset, are typically not considered a carrying cost.
Cost of carry can come in a variety of different forms — here are a few types of carrying costs that you’ll want to be aware of:
• Storage costs, if you are investing in the futures market for physical goods
• Interest paid on loans used for an investment
• Interest in margin accounts when borrowing to invest in stocks or options
• Costs to insure or transport physical goods
• The opportunity cost of investments
Most if not all investments have carrying costs, and savvy investors will take them into account when deciding whether an investment is worth it. Even if a particular investment doesn’t have obvious carrying costs, there is always the opportunity cost of making one investment over the other.
How Cost of Carry Works
The way that cost of carry works depends on the type of investment that you are considering. If you are investing in the futures markets for tangible goods like coffee, oil, gold, or wheat, you may have carrying costs associated with these physical goods. For example, if you buy a commodity like crude oil, you must pay the costs for transporting, insuring and storing that oil until you sell it.
To accurately calculate your trading profits you must include those carrying costs.
In a purely financial transaction like buying stock or trading options, there can still be carrying costs involved. You may have to pay interest if you are borrowing money with a margin account. You may also incur what are called opportunity costs. Opportunity costs refer to the money you could have made if you had invested your money in other areas.
If you are holding $10,000 in your stock account waiting for an option assignment, you can’t use that $10,000 for other investments.
Which Markets Are Impacted by Cost of Carry?
Cost of carry is a factor in a variety of different types of investments. Options trading has carrying costs from interest costs if you trade in a margin account to holding costs.
Investing in commodities may require a cost of storing, insuring, or transporting your goods. You should be aware that most types of investments also have opportunity costs.
Cost-of-Carry Calculation
The simplest cost-of-carry calculation just includes all of your carrying costs as a factor when you analyze the profitability of a particular investment. So, if
• P = Purchase price of an investment
• S = Sale price of the same investment
• C = carrying costs while holding the investment
The profit of this investment could be expressed as Profit = S – P – C.
Futures Cost of Carry
The futures market has two different prices for each type of commodity. The spot price refers to the price for immediate delivery (i.e. on the spot). A futures price is the price for goods at some specified time in the future. Because most futures contracts of commodities come with non-zero carrying costs, the futures price is usually (but not always) higher than the spot price.
Options Cost of Carry
When trading options the costs of carry fall into a few categories:
• Interest costs – Some investors borrow money to purchase options, i.e. a loan from a friend, a bank loan, or a brokerage margin account.
Whatever the source of the money, the interest paid to service the borrowing is a carrying cost.
• Opportunity costs – You’ve chosen to invest in options. But where else could you have invested that money? Because most alternative investments carry risk, as does investing in options, it’s difficult to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
In finance, we look at risk-free investing rates to assess the opportunity cost. “Risk-free” is defined as the return available by investing in U.S. Treasuries. In the past, 30-year bonds were the standard, but 10-year returns and even the return on short-term Treasury notes may also be used.
• Forgoing Dividends – One of the disadvantages of owning options compared to owning stock, is that you are not eligible for dividends as an option holder. The market makes an effort to price dividends into the option premium, but just as interest rates can fluctuate, so can dividend rates.
Examples of Cost of Carry
Here is a simple example of cost of carry and how it might affect an investment in purchasing Brent Crude Oil.
Say you buy a contract for 1,000 barrels of Brent Crude at $80/barrel. Six months later, the price of oil has gone up to $90/barrel, and you sell. You might think that you have earned a $10,000 profit, but that is not accounting for the cost of carrying the oil.
If it cost you $3,000 to store and insure those barrels of oil for the six months that you owned them, those carrying costs must be subtracted from your profit. You also are liable for delivering the oil, which might cost another $1,000. Considering the cost to carry, your actual profit was only $6,000. While these costs are easiest to understand with physical goods like commodities, most types of investments have carrying costs.
Cash and Carry Arbitrage
Like crypto arbitrage, there sometimes exists a type of arbitrage called cash-and-carry arbitrage. In cash-and-carry arbitrage, an investor will purchase a position in a stock or commodity and simultaneously sell a futures contract for the same stock or commodity.
If the futures price is higher than the combined amount of the stock price plus carrying costs, you can secure a relatively risk-free profit via cash and carry arbitrage.
Cost of Carry and Net Return
As we’ve discussed already, the cost of carry can have an impact on the net return of any investment. When determining your total profit and the return on investment (ROI), you need to account for any and all costs that you incur as part of the investment.
These might include transaction costs like commissions as well as carrying costs. Subtract all such costs from your gross profit to calculate the net return of your investment.
Can You Do Anything About Cost of Carry?
Since the cost of carry directly and negatively affects your total profit, you may be wondering if you can do anything about it. While there are carrying costs with almost every type of investment, one way to minimize the cost of carry is to avoid investments that have significant carrying costs.
On the other hand, if your specific situation allows you to have below market carrying costs, you may be able to earn a profit with cash and carry arbitrage.
The Takeaway
The cost of carry is a term used in options and futures trading that refers to the ongoing costs incurred in an investment while you are holding it.
With physical commodities, the cost of carry refers to storage, insurance, delivery and other costs specific to the fulfillment of your contract.
When applied to options trading the carrying costs are financial in nature, such as, interest costs, opportunity costs, and forgoing dividends.
If you’re ready to try your hand at options trading, you can set up an Active Invest brokerage account and trade trade options from the SoFi mobile app or through the web platform.
And if you have any questions, SoFi offers educational resources about options to learn more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, and members have access to complimentary financial advice from a professional.
With SoFi, user-friendly options trading is finally here.
FAQ
How can you calculate cost of carry?
The cost of carry refers to any costs that you incur during the course of your investment. In commodities trading, this generally refers to costs like storage, insurance, or delivery of the commodity. In other types of investments, the cost of carry could include interest charges or the opportunity cost of using your money.
Do bonds have a cost of carry?
Yes, nearly all investments, including bonds, have some sort of cost of carry. In the bond market, the cost of carry generally refers to the difference between the face value of the bond plus premiums minus applicable discounts.
How are ordering and carrying costs different?
Ordering costs are the costs that you pay as part of the ordering process. In a stock or option transaction, any broker’s commissions that you pay would be considered ordering costs. While ordering costs are usually incurred only once (at buy and/or sale), carrying costs are the costs that you must pay to hold an investment throughout its duration.
Photo credit: iStock/fizkes
SoFi Invest® The information provided is not meant to provide investment or financial advice. Also, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile. SoFi can’t guarantee future financial performance. Advisory services offered through SoFi Wealth, LLC. SoFi Securities, LLC, member FINRA / SIPC . SoFi Invest refers to the three investment and trading platforms operated by Social Finance, Inc. and its affiliates (described below). Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of the platforms below. 1) Automated Investing—The Automated Investing platform is owned by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor (“Sofi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC, an affiliated SEC registered broker dealer and member FINRA/SIPC, (“Sofi Securities).
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3) Cryptocurrency is offered by SoFi Digital Assets, LLC, a FinCEN registered Money Service Business.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above, including state licensure of Sofi Digital Assets, LLC, please visit www.sofi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform. Information related to lending products contained herein should not be construed as an offer or prequalification for any loan product offered by SoFi Bank, N.A. Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes. SOIN0322025
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